Willits bypass protesters lock themselves to dirt truck

Two protesters locked themselves to a stopped belly-dump truck and trailer on S. Main Street Thursday night, delaying northbound traffic for about two hours. The dump trucks and trailers are transporting fill dirt from the south end of the bypass along Highway 101 through the city to the north end of town weekdays between 7 p.m. and 7 a.m.

CalTrans has determined this night time transfer is more advantageous than installing a haul road along the bypass footprint as envisioned by the project's approved Environmental Impact Statement.

The two protesters, Danielle Renee Fristoe, 24, a.k.a. Feather, and Erik Harrington-Wright, 18, both of Willits, were cited and released by the California Highway Patrol after agreeing to unlock themselves from the truck. A small group stood by holding a protest sign.

While some pedestrians were supportive, several other drivers shouted to the truck driver to run over the protesters instead.